The Human Rights and Documentation Centre at UNAM

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The Human Rights and Documentation Centre at UNAMMoreover, the UNESCO Chair is partnered with Biodiversity Transect Africa(BIOTA) Southern Africa, 278 which is mainly funded by the German FederalMinistry of Education and Research. 279 Interdisciplinary research projectsconcentrate on environmental studies in Namibia and the western parts of SouthAfrica. 280University partnershipsApart from the above-mentioned UNITWIN partners with the UNESCOChair, UNAM’s HRDC and the Faculty of Law have numerous universitypartnerships at international level, amongst which are the University of Bremen(Germany), 281 the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa), 282 the School ofAfrican and Oriental Studies at the University of London (England), 283 andStanford University (USA). 284 With these partners, the HRDC aims to fosteracademic exchange towards excellence in research. Recently, the Munich Schoolof Philosophy 285 has drawn the HRDC’s attention to a project on climate changeand global poverty, which may lead to future cooperation. Moreover, recentdiscussions with the Finnish Embassy have led to the deliberation to expand andelaborate on partnerships in relevant fields with institutions of higher learningin Finland.The Human Rights Forum of NamibiaIn February 2008, the Namibian Human Rights Forum was informally establishedby various key actors who endeavour to promote respect for human rights, therule of law, and democracy in Namibia. So far, the Forum consists of politicians,law professors, NGOs, legal practitioners, members of the Law Society, the AnticorruptionCommission, and the Office of the Ombudsman, amongst others. TheForum intends to monitor the human rights situation in Namibia and the SADC278 http://www.biota-africa.org; last accessed 25 February 2008.279 Hinz, MO. 2005. Preliminary results of BIOTA II, S.11.4 Work package and prospects forBIOTA III. Windhoek: Faculty of Law, University of Namibia.280 See e.g. Hinz & Ruppel (Forthcoming), supra.281 http://www.uni-bremen.de; 13 March 2008.282 http://www.sun.ac.za; 13 March 2008.283 http://www.soas.ac.uk; 13 March 2008.284 http://www.stanford.edu; 13 March 2008.285 http://www.hfph.mwn.de/igp/klima; 13 March 2008.138
The Human Rights and Documentation Centre at UNAMregion. Its objective is to promote human rights and protect the nationaldemocratic space by highlighting potential threats and abuses.The Forum recently requested the HRDC to investigate the legal and socialconditions associated with Police and holding cells in Namibia. The findingsof this report, coupled with those of the Ombudsman’s 2006 report on the samematter, 286 depicted that holding cells throughout the country were continuouslybeset by poor sanitary conditions, overcrowding, insufficient food supplies,unsafe infrastructure, stagnant water, lack of access to medical care facilitiesand potable water, and insufficient bathroom and shower facilities. 287ConclusionThe HRDC is an active and important institution when it comes to safeguarding,upholding and encouraging respect for human rights, the rule of law anddemocracy in Namibia and southern Africa. The Centre provides advocacy,reviews the human rights situation, and contributes to capacity-building in thefield of human rights law in Namibia. The HRDC’s UNESCO Chair contributessignificantly to scientific advancement through high-level research, teachingand networking. Highlights in its history include high degree of involvement bymembers of the Centre in research and community service, and the contributionthe Centre has made to legal education in respect of human rights in Namibiathrough its academic programmes and project outputs. Members of the Centrealso serve as consultants on human rights issues to a range of national andinternational institutions. On a national level, the HRDC cooperates closelywith, amongst others, governmental and non-governmental organisations, legalpractitioners, members of the Law Society, the Anti-corruption Commission, theOffice of the Ombudsman. Internationally, the HRDC aims to foster academicexchange towards excellence in research with various renowned institutions oftertiary education around the globe.286 Walters, JR. 2006. Special Report on Conditions prevailing at Police Cells throughoutNamibia. Windhoek: Office of the Ombudsman.287 A report by the HRDC on the conditions at Police and holding cells in Namibia will bepublished soon.139
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The Human Rights and Documentation Centre at UNAM

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